BENTONVILLE — Bill Skinner

passed away peacefully in the early morning of Thursday, March 28, 2024, at the age of 90. He was born on November 12, 1933, to the late Lyla Inez and William Carter Skinner in Gilmer, Texas.

He spent many of his younger years growing up near the banks of Cypress Creek – a time that he would often speak of fondly.

After graduation from high school in 1951, Bill went on to serve three years in the Army, with most of those years spent in Denmark and Germany. Upon his return, he took advantage of the GI Bill and attained his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from East Texas State University. Once he finished his graduate studies, he decided to go into teaching until he “figured out what he wanted to do.” Teaching became his career for the next 45 years – spending 41 of those teaching on the collegiate level.

His teaching career started off in East Texas, followed by McAllen, Texas at Pan American University, then Case Grande, Arizona at Central Arizona College. After being recruited to help start a community college in Arkansas, Bill moved his family one last time to Harrison, Ark., in July of 1974 to help start North Arkansas Community College. In addition to serving as Department Chair, he taught World Literature, American Literature and Film Classics – his favorites. He would remain there for the rest of his career, retiring in 2006.

While in east Texas, he met Evelyn L’nee Scott, and they married in September of 1964. They remained married until her passing in 2013, and had four children: William Patrick, JoAnna Paige, Jennifer Brooke, and Brandon Matthew. They spent most of their time in Arkansas on their farm, and Bill called himself a “recreational farmer” – keeping just enough animals to make it manageable with a full-time job.

Born in the big band era, Bill’s love of all things Sinatra, Tony Bennett and Nat King Cole influenced his musical preferences, and he never cared much for “rock and roll.” He was a walking encyclopedia when it came to film, television, literature, and the big band music era. He also loved golf, continuing to watch it avidly on television once his back no longer allowed him to play. Bill had strong opinions on golfers, and his family knew by glancing at the leaderboard of a golf tournament if he would be happy with the winner.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Evelyn Skinner; daughter, JoAnna Paige Skinner; and nephew, Marcus Crow.

He is survived by his children, William Patrick (Tonya), Jennifer Brooke Morrow (David), and Brandon Matthew (Chere`); his grandchildren, Reid, Jacob, Nathan, Jet and Reagan Skinner – all of northwest Arkansas; his sister, LaVelle Crow (Bernal) and nephew, Michael Crow – all of East Texas.

Per his request, there will be no services at this time. A private burial will be held later in Pinnacle Memorial Gardens, Rogers, Ark. Please join us in honoring Dad and a life well lived.

Arrangements are made by the Bella Vista Funeral Home and Crematory where online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.